Ravard wins in Châteauroux

Anthony Ravard (Ag2r-La Mondiale) took his third victory in the Châteauroux Classic de l’Indre one-day race with a perfectly executed sprint but success only partially helped the Frenchman, who is troubled by a leg problem.

The little Frenchman kept a low profile as he sprinted to the line and managed to out power Yauheni Hutarovich (FDJ) and Jasper Bovenhuis (Rabobank Continental Team). Canada’s Martin Gilbert (Spidertech Powered By C10) was an impressive fourth in the sprint.

Ravard missed out on selection for the Ag2r-La Mondiale team but used the rejection as extra motivation for the second half of the season. He has suffered with a long-term leg muscle problem and even considered retirement but he managed to briefly put those aside and things went his way yet again in Châteauroux.

“It was a blow but I worked hard and was good at the Tour of Poland and the in Limousin. Before the start I didn’t think I’d do well but things went right,” Ravard told L’Equipe.

“I have an enlarged left piriformis muscle in my leg, it’s two times larger than the right. I’d like to know why and what to do. I’m twisted on the bike and that pulls on my left leg. My right leg hurts too, from time to time, probably because I'm compensating.”

“On the eve of the race, I spoke to my doctor on the phone and I told him: "If we don’t find a solution this winter, I’ll end my career." This win helps my moral but all the problems prevent me from being consistent. Because of it, I’ve never ridden the Tour de France. I was fine until Paris-Nice, and the proof is that I won the Étoile de Bessèges. But since then…”

Despite his problems, Ravard will continue to race and is part of the Ag2r-La Mondiale team for the Tour du Poitou-Charentes stage race.

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